goetzpartners advised H.I.G. Europe

Fortlane Partners advised H.I.G. Europe and WERU Management with a Commercial Vendor Due Diligence on the sale of WERU GmbH ("WERU"), a leading German manufacturer of premium windows and doors, to DOVISTA A/S ("DOVISTA"). DOVISTA is a Denmark-based company and leading North European solution provider of vertical windows and exterior doors.

The Commercial Vendor Due Diligence comprised a detailed business model analysis including a comprehensive product portfolio assessment and a strategic evaluation of the value proposition of WERU. Fortlane Partners analyzed all aspects of WERU's business such as the value chain, the supplier landscape, and the company's go-to-market approach. Fortlane Partners created a detailed market model including both historical and future market development for the residential and commercial segment. The market was assessed in the light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Fortlane Partners assessed the competitive environment and customer structure of WERU. Based on aggregated results, Fortlane Partners derived strategic measures for future development of WERU.

About WERU
WERU is a leading German manufacturer of high-quality windows and external doors of residential buildings with a full range of frame materials and is headquartered in Rudersberg, Baden-Württemberg. WERU offers premium- and luxury products and WERU is perceived as a quality leader in the market. Among its competitors, WERU provides outstanding service quality, lead time, delivery reliability, and after sales support for specialist retailers. WERU has a renowned and distinguished brand, a "Made-in-Germany" reputation and a clear USP. WERU was awarded with "Deutsche Standards - Marke des Jahrhunderts" in 2019 and sells its product offering via a broad network of more than 1,700 specialized retailers and has more than 1,100 employees across its three manufacturing sites in Germany.

About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global alternative assets investment firm with over €36 billion of equity capital under management based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates. Based in Miami, and with numerous offices across the globe, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach. H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. The firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of €27 billion.

Transaction team:

Dr. Gerrit Schütte
Managing Director

Gerrit Bückins
Manager

Cord Weirich
Senior Consultant

Lukas Dörrig
Consultant

Dominik Wenzel
Associate Consultant